Day: November 13, 2009

Letter Re: How Can I Make and Store Dog Food?

James, I read the blog regularly and have noticed people mentioning the value of having a large dog on a property–for protection, extra set of ears, etc. Having recently purchased a German Shepherd puppy and seeing the costs of dog food rising, plus the looming dangers of hyperinflation and disruptions of supply chains, I’m wondering if anyone out there can share the recipe for a nutritious food for a large breed puppy/dog–especially a food that can be made from common items and stored. Otherwise, when the storm hits I may have a great dog, and no suitable food for her. …


Wound Irrigation in Austere Environments

TEOTWAWKI will result in a lot of wounds, including not just lacerations but scrapes and burns as well.  These will happen regardless of if the injury is the result of a disaster or if post-crash efforts lead to injury.  This is bad enough, but you could be in even more trouble if infection sets into one of these wounds.  A lot of preparedness/survival-types focus on suturing, including having access to suture material and instruments to allow for laceration repair. While this is all well and good, you shouldn’t focus too much on actual wound repair without first being sure that …


Influenza Pandemic Update:

Andre sent this from Radio Nederland: Madagascar! Slovakia closes borders with flu-hit Ukraine Bobbi-Sue mentioned that respected surgeon and fiction author Robin Cook thinks a mix of avian and swine flu could be the next global plague on the scale of the Black Death. In a piece in Foreign Policy magazine, he details why. Belarus Has 1/4 Million Swine Flu Cases Suspect H1N1 Death in Romania on Border With Ukraine US Pandemic Options Include Crippling Home Modems WHO Silence On Ukraine Sequences Raise Pandemic Concerns “In the days post shipment, cases in Ukraine have quadrupled to over 1 million and …


Economics and Investing:

Reader O.J.W. spotted this: Why the price of gold is rising Ryan mentioned this: Report: 10 states face looming budget disasters Jason H. and “Oxy” were the first of dozen readers to mention this article: Peak Gold? Barrick shuts hedge book as world gold supply runs out Items from The Economatrix: Fed Officials Warn Weak Recovery Won’t Spur Jobs Why Gold is Shining Brighter Gold Bars Selling Like Hotcakes at Harrod’s Gold Hits New Record, Now Eyes US $1200 Jim Willie: Ultimate Conditions for Recovery Failure Written into “Too Big” Policy Job Openings Remain Close to Record Lows FDIC Boss: …


Odds ‘n Sods:

D.F. in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula suggested this solar homesteading and woodworking web site: ManyTracks    o o o Jimmy suggested a YouTube clip on inexpensive heat and light: A Common Man’s Grease Lamp. It uses Australian beeswax and petroleum jelly mix, sold under the brand name Murray’s Beeswax. Buy a jar for each of your survival kits. OBTW, it will likely melt in a hot car trunk, so be sure to store each jar in two thicknesses of Ziploc bags. Or, if you live in a hot climate, perhaps re-pack your supply in a small water-tight container with an o-ring …